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'Sometimes you get the feeling it's not doing football any good. The quality is suffering.'

Germany faced Ukraine, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Italy on their way to the semi-finals while France took on Romania, Albania, Switzerland, Republic of Ireland and Iceland on their way into the last four.

According to Hummels, that meant too many games against inferior opponents who limited themselves to trying to defend a goalless draw, three of which could have been enough to qualify for the last-16.

Mats Hummels also spoke out against the expansion of the Euros but praised France for their victory

GERMANY'S RECENT RECORD

2006 World Cup: Semi-final

Euro 2008: Final

2010 World Cup: Semi-final

Euro 2012: Semi-final

2014 World Cup: Winners

Euro 2016: Semi-final

'The level at this European Championship was not what we had hoped for,' Hummels said.

'There were many teams who didn't want to do anything with the ball and just packed men behind the ball.'

Nevertheless, Hummels admitted that France were more than a match in Marseille.

'We had to play to our highest level and you can't keep opponents like France in their own half for minutes on end,' he said.